There are no words to express my thanks for the outpouring of love and prayers concerning my precious Joel! He is now in the arms of Jesus! We hurt so badly but are so thankful this "goodbye" is only temporary until we will one day be reunited in Heaven. We will still need your prayers for a long time to come but especially in a few hours when I have to share this heartbreaking news with his 4 youngest babies. #Godisstillgood

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Hello Sweet Blog FriendsAlthough I've been fairly sporadic in blogland of lateI have a little anniversary memory to share10 years ago today, I announced and acted on The most difficult decision I had ever made Up until that point in my lifeAlthough settling on that decision was a Long and arduous processI knew it was the right decision

After spending 11 years at our home churchWorking as the Church Administrator for 7 yearsServing as the Women's Ministries Director for 4 yearsAnd spending about 80% of my waking hours at the Church for many yearsThe Lord directed me to quit my jobOn this date 10 years ago I thought that was all the decision would entailI would quit my job and continue the rest of lifeHowever, others also get to make decisionsOnce I announced that I was quitting my jobEverything else was taken from meI was asked to step down from Women's MinistriesWithin 12 hours my family and I were no longer membersOf the church we had loved and served for 11 yearsI spent a week in bedCried for hours and daysDidn't answer or take callsThis isn't the way it was supposed to be

BUT GODHad a Plan'For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.'Jeremiah 29:11YES!His plan walked out over the past 10 years was Definitely filled with hope.Heartache and loss as well, but I see His hand in it all.The future was not clear to us 10 years agoThe perfect job opportunity that would open up for meWhich allowed me time to truly enjoy life with Mark Our sons and our oldest granddaughterWe didn't see the weeks and months that Mark would spend in the hospitalMy ability to be with him so much of that timeNever would have happened had the changes not been madeGod had a Plan that we could not seeBut stepping out in Faith solidified our walk with HIMAnd strengthened our commitment to each other Yes, there have been some very difficult and life alteringMoments in the past 10 yearsMoments I'd love to change or forgetI've faced loss, sadness, lonelinessAnd washed my fair share of tear stained pillowcasesYet, I would not change a moment of itTo go back to where I was 10 years agoBeing married to your job,Your church, your ministry orAnything else that pulls you away fromGod's heart and His PlanIs not healthy or beneficial

My heart and life are more balanced todayBecause God Had a PlanEven though I couldn't see it at the timeBe Blessed My Friends Enjoy 'Heart' Month